How to Start a Private Soccer Training Business

You can be a great coach and still feel stuck on the business side. That’s normal. Private soccer coaching is in demand right now, but most coaches lose money (or burn out) because they don’t set up the basics: where to train, what to charge, how to stay safe with minors, and how to keep scheduling from taking over their life.

If you want to start a private soccer training business, this article will walk you through the real stuff—costs, pricing, session plans, and simple marketing that actually works. And yes, tools like AthleteCollective can handle your scheduling, payments, and client management so you can focus on what you do best—coaching.

Background: What a “Soccer Coaching Business” Really Is (and Why It’s Growing)

A soccer coaching business is simple: you help players improve, and families pay you for your time and results. That’s it. You can do it part-time after your day job, or build it into full-time income.

Here’s why the market is growing:

Parents want extra help. Club practices are busy. One coach can’t fix every kid’s first touch.
Tryouts feel higher pressure. Families pay for an edge before club tryouts and middle school or high school seasons.
Training is easier to start than people think. You can run youth soccer training at a public park with a bag of balls and cones.

Most soccer skills trainers start with 1-on-1 sessions, then add small groups (2–6 players), then camps or clinics. The business can stay small and clean, or grow into a full schedule.

One key idea: you are not just selling drills. You are selling:

A clear plan
Consistent sessions
Good communication with parents
A safe, reliable setup

If you want a bigger picture roadmap, CoachBusinessPro also has a strong starting point in how to start a private coaching business in 2026.

Main Content 1: Set Up Your Offer (Who You Train, What You Fix, and Where You Coach)

Pick a simple “starter niche” (you can widen later)

New coaches try to train “everyone.” That makes marketing harder. Start with one clear lane, like:

U8–U10 beginners: ball mastery, dribbling, confidence
U11–U14 club players: first touch, passing under pressure, 1v1 moves
U15–HS players: finishing, speed of play, position-specific work

You’re not locking yourself in forever. You’re just making it easy for parents to say, “Yes, that’s my kid.”

Decide your core promise (keep it honest)

Good promises are clear and measurable. Examples:

“Better first touch in 6 weeks”
“More confident 1v1 attacking”
“Cleaner shooting technique and more shots on frame”

Avoid promises like “college scholarship.” You can’t control that.

Field access: start free, then upgrade

One reason private soccer coaching is such a good first business is you often don’t need a facility right away.

Option A: Public parks (often free)

Pros: low cost, easy start
Cons: weather, other groups, field lines may be rough

Option B: School fields (sometimes allowed with permits)

Pros: better fields
Cons: rules vary by district, may require insurance

Option C: Indoor turf rental

Pros: consistent, weather-proof, more professional feel
Cons: cost

Real numbers you might see:

Public park: $0
Outdoor field rental: $25–$75/hour
Indoor turf: $75–$200/hour depending on city and time

If you rent space, build that cost into your pricing. Don’t “hope it works out.”

Equipment: keep it lean at first ($100–$250)

You don’t need a trailer full of gear to be a soccer skills trainer. A smart starter kit:

Cones (50 pack): $15–$25
Flat markers: $10–$20
Pinnies (12 pack): $15–$25
2–4 quality balls: $60–$120 total
Small pop-up goals (optional): $40–$120
Rebounder (optional): $60–$150

You can start at the low end and add as you earn.

Main Content 2: Pricing, Policies, and Getting Paid (Without the Headache)

What to charge for youth soccer training (real ranges)

Most private sessions fall in the $40–$80 per session range, depending on your area and experience. Some coaches charge more in high-cost cities.

A simple way to start:

45 minutes: $40–$60
60 minutes: $60–$80
Small group (3–6 players): $25–$45 per player

Why groups matter: you earn more per hour while keeping it fun and competitive.

Example math:

1-on-1 at $70/hour = $70
4-player group at $35/player = $140/hour

That’s the same hour on the clock, but double the revenue.

If you want a deeper breakdown, use this pricing guide: how much to charge for private training sessions and the more detailed math in how to price group training vs private sessions.

Packages help you stay consistent (and reduce cancellations)

Parents like a plan. Packages also protect your schedule.

Common soccer training packages:

5 sessions: small discount (ex: $350 instead of $375)
10 sessions: better discount (ex: $650 instead of $750)

Keep it simple. If you want templates and ideas, check how to create session packages that sell.

Cancellation policy: you need one (even if you’re “nice”)

If you don’t set rules, you’ll get same-day cancellations all season.

Basic policy many coaches use:

Cancel 24 hours before = reschedule free
Cancel inside 24 hours = charged (or session is used)
Weather = coach decides by a set time

CoachBusinessPro has a strong resource for this: private training cancellation policy template.

Get paid like a business (not like a favor)

If you’re juggling Venmo, texts, and spreadsheets, it gets messy fast. It also makes parents feel unsure.

Instead, set up a system where:

Parents can book online
They pay online
You have a clean record for taxes

That’s exactly where AthleteCollective helps. Parents book and pay online while you manage everything from one dashboard—calendar, messages, payments, and session history.

For more options and best practices, see how to collect payments beyond Venmo and cash and how to set up a booking and scheduling system.

Don’t skip safety and liability basics

When you train minors, you need to act like a pro from day one:

Waiver signed by a parent/guardian
Emergency contact info
Clear rules for drop-off and pick-up
Background check (often expected)

Start here:

For general credibility, U.S. Soccer licensing info is here: https://www.ussoccer.com/coaching.

Practical Examples: Real Scenarios with Numbers (So You Can Copy the Plan)

Example 1: The part-time rec coach starting from zero

Coach profile: You coach rec soccer. You want side income. You can train Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Location: public park = $0
Gear: cones, pinnies, 3 balls = $180
Rate: $55 for 60 minutes
Goal: 6 sessions/week within 6 weeks

Week 1–2:

You post in your rec league parent group (with permission)
You ask 2 coaches for referrals
You offer “first session intro rate” at $40 to fill the calendar

By week 6, you’re at:

6 sessions/week × $55 = $330/week
Monthly (4 weeks): $1,320/month
Costs: basically gas + replacing balls over time

The “so what”: you didn’t need a facility or fancy brand. You needed a clear offer and consistent scheduling.

Example 2: The club assistant coach adding small groups (best income jump)

Coach profile: You’re already in a club. Parents know you. You want to be a soccer skills trainer on weekends.

Rent indoor turf: $120/hour on Sundays
Run a 4-player group
Charge $40/player for 60 minutes

Math:

Revenue: 4 × $40 = $160
Facility cost: $120
Net before tax: $40/hour

That net seems low… until you scale it the smart way.

Upgrade plan:

Run two back-to-back groups (2 hours total)
Fill each with 6 players at $35/player

New math per hour:

Revenue: 6 × $35 = $210
Facility: $120
Net: $90/hour

Two hours on Sunday = $180 net before tax. Over 12 Sundays, that’s $2,160 net before tax, from one weekly block.

This is why groups matter. They make paid facility rental work.

Example 3: The personal trainer adding youth soccer training (hybrid model)

Coach profile: You’re a CPT (certified personal trainer). You want more youth clients and a sport focus.

You offer:

45-minute soccer + athletic movement session
Rate: $65
Package: 10 sessions for $600

You train 8 kids per week:

8 sessions × $65 = $520/week
Monthly: $2,080/month

You also add one small group:

5 players × $30 = $150/hour
One group per week adds $600/month

Total: about $2,680/month part-time.

If you’re coming from the fitness world, it helps to understand which certs matter and which don’t. These are worth reading:

Example 4: Busy season vs off-season pricing (simple comparison)

Soccer is seasonal in many areas. Plan for it.

Let’s say fall is packed:

10 sessions/week at $70 = $700/week

Winter slows down:

5 sessions/week at $70 = $350/week

Two ways to smooth income:

Push winter small groups (indoor if needed)
Sell packages in fall that carry into winter

Example:

In September, sell 12 kids a 10-pack at $650
Revenue collected: 12 × $650 = $7,800
You deliver sessions over 2–3 months

That cash buffer helps you stay calm when weather hits.

For more reading from other coaches, these guides are solid:

Common Mistakes and Misconceptions (That Cost Coaches Time and Money)

“I need a big social media following.” You don’t. You need local trust. Club and rec connections beat views.
Undercharging because you feel bad. If you charge $30/hour, you’ll quit. You can’t grow on that.
No policies. Without a cancellation policy, your schedule will fall apart fast.
Only doing drills, no coaching. Players need feedback. Fix one key thing per session.
Training random ages together. A 9-year-old and a 15-year-old need different sessions.
Skipping insurance and waivers. You’re working with minors. Protect yourself and the family.

If you’re unsure about the legal side, start with insurance options for sports instructors and should you form an LLC?.

Step-by-Step: How to Start a Private Soccer Training Business in 14 Days

Step 1: Choose your offer (Day 1)

Write one sentence:

“I help (age/group) improve (skill) in (timeframe) through private soccer coaching.”

Example: “I help U11–U14 players improve first touch and passing under pressure in 6 weeks.”

Step 2: Set pricing and rules (Days 2–3)

Pick:

Session length (45 or 60)
Price ($40–$80/session is common)
Simple cancellation policy (24 hours)
A 5-pack and 10-pack option

Step 3: Handle the safety basics (Days 3–5)

Get a waiver signed (parent/guardian)
Collect emergency contacts
Consider a background check
Get liability insurance

Use these:

Step 4: Build a repeatable session plan (Days 5–7)

Use a simple structure (write it on a card):

Warm-up + ball mastery (10 min)
Technical skill focus (15 min) (first touch, passing, dribbling)
1v1 or pressure drill (10 min)
Shooting/finishing (10 min)
Small-sided game or challenge (10 min)
Quick recap + “homework” (2 min)

Parents love hearing: “Here’s what we worked on, and here’s what to do at home.”

Step 5: Get your first 10 clients (Days 7–14)

Ask 3 local coaches for referrals
Post once a week in local soccer groups (with permission)
Offer 4 “intro sessions” at a set time block

For a full plan, use how to get your first 10 coaching clients and 15 proven ways to get more clients.

Step 6: Set up your admin system (Day 14)

This is where most coaches fall behind.

If you want to stay organized from day one, set up your business on AthleteCollective. It keeps booking, payments, messages, and session tracking in one place. That means fewer late-night texts and fewer “Did you get my payment?” moments.

Key Takeaways / Bottom Line

Starting a private soccer coaching business is not about being famous online. It’s about being consistent, safe, and clear. Start with a simple offer, train at a park if you need to, buy only the gear that matters, and charge a price that lets you keep coaching next month. Build sessions that feel fun but have a real plan. Then use your local soccer network—rec leagues and clubs—to get clients fast.

When you’re ready to run it like a real business, use tools like AthleteCollective to keep scheduling and payments clean, so you can spend your energy on youth soccer training, not admin.